TBK Consult opens an office in South Africa

Oct. 4, 2010 - PRLog -- TBK Consult want to be among the first to take advantage of the economic growth in South Africa which is expected to recover gradually to 2.4% in 2010, helped by the recovery of global demand and boosted by the FIFA World Cup, and to accelerate further in 2011 to 3.3%

South Africa is by far the largest economy on the African continent.  Close to 40% of the GDP created on the African continent is originating from the South African economy.  The country is experiencing new optimism after successfully hosting (and winning!) the 2007 Rugby World Cup and hosting the FIFA Soccer World Cup this year (2010).  

Although the country is still struggling with massive health and poverty issues, the will and courage to fight these problems are also representing opportunities for the local as well as the international business communities.

"South Africa is an emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock exchange that is 18th largest in the world; and modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region," says founder and CEO of TBK Consult, Hans Peter Bech and adds: ”We believe that South Africa is an interesting place for many software companies around the world, who are looking for new market opportunities.”

Most South Africans master English and thus the country is easy to approach from a market communication point of view.  The cost of living is reasonable  at approximately 56% of the EU average and the availability of low cost labor is equivalent to the Far East (see note).  South Africa is not the only place in the world where poverty, health issues and crime is representing major challenges, but it may be one of places best suited to fight these issues.  The country has a strong and established economy and a modern infra structure, and from this basis solutions to the problems can be developed.  It will take creativity, intelligence, endurance, resources and time to create inexpensive solutions to the massive problems.  However, TBK Consult are convinced that Information and Telecommunication Technologies will play a central role in all solution areas and thus represent major opportunities for local as well as foreign technology investors.

“Many more companies should consider South Africa as an option for outplacement and/or outsourcing of development” says Kobus Smit, founder and CEO of Smart Africa and TBK Consult partner in South Africa, and he explains: “We can offer several benefits to foreign businesses.  First of all we have a domestic market, which is ready to purchase software solutions, which can improve productivity and business performance.  Further we have a growing supply of skilled software engineers, we have major economic growth, we have a “no jet-lag” position with Europe, we’re English speaking and we are predominantly European in our business culture.  Finally we can offer some of the most magnificent nature experiences available on the Globe. Should you be able to take a few days off from work during a visit to South Africa, you can return home with some breathtaking photos.”

Kobus Smith will be managing the TBK Consult operation in South Africa from the office in Cape Town and set up additional offices as the business develops.

Note: South African Bic Mac Index is 2,45 compared to the EU weighted average of 4,33 (Source: The Economist July 22nd 2010).

# # #

About TBK Consult: TBK is an international management conulting company with 100% focus on internationalization in the software industry. TBK has offices in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Germany , Switzerland, UK, USA, France, Italy, Israel, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, India and South Africa.